This was a point to point race but it was an individual start meaning one person started every 3 seconds off the peir. I thought I would like this better but in retrospect I did not like it as much as a wave start...I did not have any adrenaline or race nerves to get me going since they just told me to start swimming. Also, I did NOT feel the current and am not sure if there even was one. The best part though is that I did not panic in the swim and stayed calm which is good for me! I think I sited a little too much but I stayed right on course and almost hit two bouys head on which I guess is ok. ADollar79 and was of the strong men that yanked me out of the water when I got to the pier which was cool and nice to see a friendly face. They did a GREAT job and my shins did not get banged up.

I know I could have swam harder. I felt like I was walking in the water but I am not confident enough in the water yet to push it hard. And besdies, this was an Ocean sized river!!! ;) Holy hell was that thing big! But I am starting to see imporvement over where I started 8 weeks ago!

I think this went fine. I am not fast at transitions and I did not really run with my bike but I did my best to run up all the stairs leading up to the transition.

I drove the course the day before and thought the hills were massive. I didn't realize they were going to be that tough from the elevation map I read before arriving in Chatt but to be honest they weren't that bad once I got out there. I did not push it the first 3 miles because I wanted to get used to the borrowed bike and wanted to get rid of my sea legs. I think that made a negative impact on my time. When I started getting comfy I would put the gears up and was pedaling down hill were when I started I coasted. My garmin said my fastest speed was 35mph...now that was cool. There were lots of 6-9% grade hills! Towards the end I was pedaling fast down a big hill and the wind kicked up and I got a little nervous and put the brakes on but from what I hear I was not the only one that felt that way. Now, I'm talking about cylcone winds here! ;) It was cool though, I passed a few people going up hill on tri bikes and that always makes me feel good. I was so ready to get off the bike though. I was not used to the saddle and lets just say I was in ALOT of pain and was even starting to get squeamish towards the end. :( On another note...on the way back in there were two sooooper fast women that passed me and the wind was really kicking up and as they each passed me they each yelled at me that they loved my tri shorts! LOL! I thought that was hilarious and isn't just like women to always be thinking about fashion!! I had a blast on the bike and was very happy out there!!

Push it more...are you seeing the theme here?!?! But seriously, I am happy with my bike portion!

Remember my visor!

When I started running I felt so much pain in my legs that I was worried that it was going to be bad. The fronts of my shins were screaming at me which is typical if I run and fly too close together but since I flew on Friday I figured it would have been okay. So, I told the legs to be quiet and we kept going. There were more hills than what I had thought there would be so I walked those. But I was slower than where my running has been. I knew going into this that my running was somewhat lacking but no because of my lack of consistency but more so because I have been focusing on the HR method so my distances have been shorter but on an up note I did not walk nearly as much as what I normally would have. Also, I ended up meeting NealPhelps from Bt on the run! We were running about the same pace and we just started chatting up a storm! Also, another women comment on my running skirt! LOL!!!

Put together a better plan for the run.

I stretched and walked around.


I had a fun time at the race overall and I was told that I always had a smile on my face! I was pretty hard on myself afterwards and then I decided to let up. This was only my second triathlon and my first in almost two years and this was a C race for me. In addition, I only started being consistent in my training 8 weeks ago. I am looking forward to the rest of the season and have a century ride and 3 more triathlons and possibly a half mary. I guess some of us just get a late start sometimes. I now know where my areas of focus need to be...swimming and running, but I cannot let up on the bike. The best part of the weekend was meeting so many people from bt! I think it is great how this site brings so many people together! Thanks Ron and Marma! Also, big thanks Dollar for letting me borrow the bike and being a great jockstrapper! Also, it was very interesting to be in a humid climate! That is one that I am not used to...I remember thinking "why am I not dried off from the swim yet"! I do think it is amazing the things we not only learn about triathlons at races but also the things we learn about ourselves! I know I learned more about who I am as a person and I definitely grew as a person over the weekend!